Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The stone walls of the elephanta caves formed the backdrop for a glittering and glam-packed fund-raiser for the UNESCO heritage site.Nisha Jamwal recounts an evening to remember.The road taken
The lilting boat ride, the quaint toy train created out of palanquins, the nearly mystical walk up the ancientrock pathway upto the site of Elephanta, nothing quite prepared us for the enigmatic magnificence of the caves which was to be the backdrop for the auction of painting and sculpture.
The bidding game
THE auction was introduced by Shobha De, who urged people to be as large-hearted as the artists who had gifted their works to raise money for INTACH8217;s Elephanta project. An inspired Dolly Thakore conducted the auction and Bombay opened their purse strings for Elephanta. Parmeshwar Godrej in her ecru crochet hat acquired an enigmatic Imtiaz Dharkar pen and ink at one lakh twenty thousand. A much sought after large charcoal, Johannesburg Days from the Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa series by Atul Dodiya, was also hers for a whopping five lakh after avid bidding that started from one lakh.
In an enjoyable back and forth, Jehangir Nicholson bid against Vinod Khanna bid for the Garuda sculpture by S Nandgopal, which finally went to Vinod at Rs 80,000. But the show-stopper by K G Subramanyan, depictingShiva in his inimitable medley of colour and forms, drew a sigh of appreciation by the audience. Tina Ambani was the lucky bidder who got it at five-and-a-half lakh.
Alkazi8217;s gift
MIDWAY through the proceedings a visibly tired Vilasrao Deshmukh, just back from an inauguration at Vashi, braved the high seas and made it to the lavish event. His bejeweled family was there way before him, having made it with us by boat. Several speeches later and after the presentation of flowers to the guests, the presentation of the Harmony Heritage Award was announced by Tina.
The recipient was the charming founder of modern India8217;s Hindustani theatre, Ebrahim Alkazi, who won it for his lifetime contribution to literature, art and culture. Characteristically magnanimous, he announced, 8220;I cannot keep it and I must pass it on with an equal amount to Astha for spastic children,8221; amidst resounding applause by a now enthused audience.
The colour of money
DRINKS followed with performances by Shubha Mudgaland Alarmel Valli 8211; but most people were looking for the food by this time and seemed eager to return to home shores. Amidst much socialising the strains of Shubha Mudgal echoed in the golden-lit caves. Sarayu Doshi hobbled bravely despite her injured foot. Kekoo Gandhi preferred to sit through the performance, while Shireen Gandhi busily organised the paintings that were earlier previewed at her Gallery Chemould.
It is interesting to see the elite direct their wealth and privilege toward the improvement of society as a whole. This involvement of zealous citizens may actually be the impetus required to take the country 8211; or on a smaller scale, the city 8211; into a more hopeful millennium.
